Volume-flow regulator



May 20, 1930.

G. A. BROOKE, JR 1,758,926

VOLUME FLOW REGULATOR Filed 001;, 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l 676? 6'3 M r i5 6'4 fi 03K) lij IT 6Z0 rnega May 20, 1930. a. A. BROOKE. JR 1,758,926

VOLUME FLOW REGULATOR Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 sh eets sheet 2 Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STATES GEQRGE A. BROOKE, JR., GERMANTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA VOLUME-FLOW REGULATOR Application filed October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,099.

The invention relates to volume flow regulators. The object is to provide improved method and means for regulating the flow of fluids.

For example the volume flow of air and the volume flow ofammonia, may each be separately regulated, and such regulation adjusted so that each flow may be automatically united in proper proportions in the ammonia 10 oxidization process. r

The flow which is tobe controlled is measured by the pressure differential between two points'in the flow line. This differential pressure is connected to a suitable regulator. The

- 15 regulator is adjusted to the desired flow value.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate merely by way of example, suitable means for effecting my invention Fig. lis a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan view. l Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line "3, 3 of Fig.2 on an enlarged scale. Y Y

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4 ,4 of Fig. l on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5, 5 of Fig. 2,.

Fig. '6 is tacts.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts 30 throughout the several views.

The chambered body 9 is suitably supa diagram of the circuits and conported, as for example on the legs or elements 10 and 11, resting upon a'firm foundation such as the surfacef12. The body 9 and elements 10 35 and 11 are connected to and associated with the table or supporting surface 13. The chambered body 9 has a removable top or cover .14

provided with ports or openings controlled by valves 15 and 16. Below the middle of its 0 vertical extensiomthe chambered body is pro vided with the flangedneck 17 to whichis secured the horizontally extending tube 18 connected at its outer end to one arm 19 of the connection 20 of cross formation. Into the opening of another arm 21, at right angles is. secured the stu fiing box 22 surrounding the shaft 23. The'other openings in the arms of the cross connection are closed byplu'gs. The "shaft 23 is pivotallysupported 'at'each end 50 as shown. At the end 24 "this shaft 23 is rigidly secured to a rod 25. At the other end of shaft 23 is connected the block 26 by means of a feather or spline 27 To block 26 is rigidly secured the lever 28.

The rod 25, one end of which is secured to shaft 23, extends through the tube 18 and has its other end rigidly secured to the bell 29, within the chambered formation or body 9. This bell 29 is partially immersed in the oil contained in the chamber 30 0f body 9. Bell 29 is provided with a pin 31 at the top upon which may be secured one or more weights, such as leaddiscs 32. Within the chamber 30 is provided the vertical cylinder 33 secured to body 9 and extending downwardly through said body 9 to the chambered formation 34 to which it is also secured. To the lower end of formation 34, is secured the chambered block 35 having a chamber 36 which is connected to a high pressure pipe 37, extendingfrom one side thereof. From the top ofchamber 36- and communicating therewith is the vertical tube 38 threaded at its lower end into body 35 and extending up- H wardly through the cylinder 33 to a point slightly above the top thereof. To oneside of the chambered body 34 is provided the pipe 39 controlled by the pressure release valve'40. The member or body 35 is-connected "to and supported upon a leg or supporting element 10. A gage glass 41 is provided on the side of chambered body 9 in communication with chamber 30. This gage is provided with the cross bar 41 at the middle part of the gage.

Lever 28, which is pivotally supported on the shaft 23, is provided withan arm 42, to

the lower end of which is pivotedat 43, the

lever 44. This lever-44 has its right hand end pivoted to a connecting rod 45 which is pivotally connected to one end of switch lever 46 pivotally supported at 47. p The other end of lever 46 carries the movable contacts 48 and '49 adapted to cooperate with the fixed contacts 50, 50, 51 and 5 1, which are arranged in the circuit,ofanelectridmotor 52. The

"motor .52 is mounted on the table 13 and is connected through a train of reducing gears 66, with an approximate reduction 01 519,000

to 1 to the shaft 53 mounted on suitable I bearings 54 secured to table 13. The shaft 53 carries the arm 55 which is connected by means of link rod 56 to the flow valve 57.

The left hand end of lever 44 is pivotally connected, through link 58, to a rod 59 connected to the end of shaft 53. A spring 60 is connected between the lever 28 and a stationary part as shown in Fig. 1. A weight 61 is adjustably mounted on the lever 28.

Pipe 37 which we call high pressure pipe, is connected to one point in the flow line and is controlled by valve 61. Pipe 62 which we call low pressure pipe is connected to another point in the flow line; this connection is controlled by valves 15 and 63, valve 15 being an adjusting or throttle valve. The equalizing pipe 64 connects pipes 37 and 62 controlled by Valve 65. Valve 16 is a filling valve.

The oil level in chamber 30 should be approximately at the cross bar 41 on gage 41. Upon closing relief valve 40 and filling valve 16, and opening valve 65, with an eye on the oil level, valves 61 and 63 are alternately opened, a little at a time, until the oil level is no longer disturbed by valve movements. Both valves are then opened wide; and the equalizing valve 65 is closed.

Adjustment-Before connecting the link rod 56 to the How valve 57 slide the weight 61 to the right or to the left on lever 28 until the bell stops at a position about half way between the extremes of movement. Then connect link arm 56 to flow valve 57 and close the circuit. Close down the throttle 15 until hunting ceases.

In operation:

The flow which is to be controlled is measured by the pressure differential between two points in the flow line. The two pressures are connected on opposite sides of the bell in chamber 30; the higher pressure of the differential acting upwardly upon the bell to balance the low pressure and the force due to gravity.

The bell 29 is connected through the rod 25 to the shaft 23; the said rod 25 extending through the pipe 18 into the connecting member having chamber 20 which is in reality an extension of chamber and under the same pressure. The shaft 23, projecting through the stuffing box 22, also extends into chamber 20. This stufiing box presents very little resistance to the rocking movement of shaft 23, which is actuated by bell 29 through the relatively long rod 25. To shaft 23 is secured the block 26 by means of the spline formation 27, and on block 26 is mounted the lever 28 which carries the lever 44 and its connecting links for operating the switch arm 46. Lever 44 is also adapted to be operated by the movement of shaft 53 as above described. The differential pressure acting upwardly upon the bell 29 balances the opposing force due to gravity. By moving the weight 61 on lever 28, the balance is regulated or adjusted to the desired flow value. When in balance the switch arm 46 is in a floating position, that is, the movable contacts 48 and 49 are out of engagement with the station ary contacts.

When the flow changes the dilferential pressure changes and the balance is upset, thereby causing the bell to drift upward or downward, which, through the mechanism referred to, causes the switch to engage either the upper or lower stationary contacts to cause the operation of the motor in one or the other direction. The motor operates, through the reducing gear 66, the flow valve 57 to cause a correction of the flow and of the pressure differential.

The motor movement also has a compensating action, operating through arm 59 and link 58, the switch arm 46, which, without affecting the balance of the bell, tends to move the switch back to neutral position. If the bell is moving slowly the compensating movement will almost immediately return the switch arm to neutral position thereby stopping the motor. If the flow is now correct the bell will now be in balance. If not the bell will continue to move and cause another setting of the flow valve, followed by another re-weighing of opposing forces. The proper adjustment of throttle valve 15 prevents tendency in the bell to hunt.

Where two such flow controlling devices are used, each controller may be separately adjusted so that each flow may be automatically united with the other in proper proportion.

In order to prevent the pressure in the chamber above the bell becoming substantially higher than the pressure in the chamber below the bell, communication may be established, as for example through check valve 69, between pipe 37 and pipe 62 below valve 15, or a check valve controlled by-pass, such as 70, may be provided around valve 15.

What I claim is 1. In a volume fiow regulator, the combination of a liquid containing chamber, a bell partly immersed in the chamber, a rock shaft projecting through a packing into said chamber at a distance from the bell, a lever communicating movement from the bell to the rock shaft, a lever connected to the rock shaft outside of said chamber, means for communicating pressures, from different points in the line of said flow, to opposite sides of the bell, a motor controlled by the outside lever for actuating the flow valve, and means operating between the motor and the outside lever as a factor in the motor control.

2. In a volume flow regulator, the combination of a pressure chamber, a pressure actuated element enclosed within said chamber, a rock shaft projecting from the pressure of the chamber into atmosphere, at a distance from the pressure actuated element, a member communicating movement from the pressure actuated element to the rock shaft, a lever connected to the rock shaft outside of said chamber, means for communicating pressures from different points in the line of said flow to opposite sides of the pressure actuated element, a motor controlled by the outside lever for actuating the 'flow valve, and means operating between the motor and the outside lever as a factor in the motor control.

GEORGE A. BROOKE, JR. 

